Tennessee Senate Bill SB1501

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/26
• Engrossed: 2/2/26
• Enrolled: 3/17/26
• Passed: 4/1/26
• Chaptered: 4/6/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 14, relative to the board of dispensing opticians.

Summary

SB1501 makes a narrow statutory update to Tennessee law concerning the Board of Dispensing Opticians. The bill removes the board from one section of Tennessee’s general “sunset” or review-related provisions in Title 4 and adds it to another section that lists boards and commissions created in Title 63, Chapter 14. In practical terms, the measure appears to be an administrative housekeeping bill that clarifies the board’s placement in state law rather than changing the board’s substantive duties or licensing authority. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 14. Specifically, it deletes subdivision (6) from § 4-29-247(a) and adds the Board of Dispensing Opticians, created by § 63-14-101, to § 4-29-252(a). The effect is to update the statutory list of entities referenced in those provisions and ensure the board is properly identified in the code. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law. The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support. The Senate Government Operations Committee recommended passage by a 9-0 vote, and the floor motion to adopt passed 33-0. No committee transcripts were provided, but the absence of recorded opposition suggests the bill was viewed as routine and noncontroversial. There is little evidence of substantive contention around the measure. Because the bill deals with the organizational status of a professional licensing board rather than policy changes affecting opticians, consumers, or licensing standards, any discussion likely centered on technical code cleanup and statutory alignment. No opposing arguments or amendments are reflected in the available record.

Impact

SB1501 updates Tennessee’s statutory framework governing the Board of Dispensing Opticians by revising cross-references in Titles 4 and 63. It affects the code sections that list boards and commissions subject to state oversight and the section identifying boards created under the professional licensing chapter. The bill does not appear to alter licensure requirements, disciplinary powers, or the board’s composition; instead, it refines how the board is referenced in state law and may affect future sunset-review or administrative classification of the board.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around SB1501 appears strongly positive and procedural. The bill advanced unanimously in committee and on the floor, indicating broad bipartisan agreement and little concern about its substance. The lack of recorded debate or dissent suggests lawmakers treated it as a technical correction or administrative update rather than a controversial policy measure.

Contention

There is no significant contention evident in the available materials. The only plausible point of discussion would be whether the Board of Dispensing Opticians should be included or excluded from the referenced statutory lists, but the unanimous votes indicate no meaningful disagreement. Because the bill is narrowly focused on code organization and board classification, it does not raise the kinds of policy disputes typically associated with licensing, regulation, or professional oversight.